WestJet sends plane to rescue Canadians from storm-ravaged resort

WestJet flew a plane to Mexico to rescue stranded Canadians. (Don Healy file photo/ Leader-Post)

CALGARY — A final group of about 45 Canadians who were stuck in the hurricane-ravaged Mexican resort area of Los Cabos are back home after Calgary-based WestJet airlines sent a plane down to get them.

The vacation turned into mayhem when Hurricane Odile knocked out power, water and phone service, sparking widespread looting.

There were hugs and tears of relief at Calgary’s airport Friday night as the tourists disembarked from what’s being called a “mercy flight.”

WestJet flew 4,000 bottles of water to Los Cabos on Friday and offered a free return flight to any Canadians who wanted to get out of the area.

Megan Lucks says the airline was “amazing,” putting the passengers into a hangar and giving them food and water before letting them board the flight.

Cody Krantz says one morning, the hotel he was staying in issued a warning that patrons might have to lock themselves in their rooms if rioting and looting that was happening in the town spread to the resort.

WestJet has now cancelled its flights to and from Los Cabos until next week.